Happy Lantern FestivalFrom James Steedwww.jamessteed.com/editing/editing.htmLantern FestivalThe Chinese Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie) is on 15th day of the 1st Lunar monththe first lunar month is called “yuan”-monthyears ago the word for night was “xiao.” Yuan Xiao JieFirst full moon of the year, soyuan (round) xiao (night) jie (festival) The first lantern festivalThe Jade Emperor in Heaven was angry at a town for killing his favorite goose. He planned to destroy the town with fire storm. For protection, a fairy told the town to put lanterns all over the town to make it look like it is burning. The town puts up lanterns to fool the Jade Emperor.He saw the “fire” and believed the people suffered enough, so he stopped the firestorm early.Now, people celebrate survival by carrying lanterns outside that night.TodayCities today compete for the best lantern festivalsLanterns are now fancier. BuddhasFruit and FlowersPhoneixDragonPower AnimalsSea AnimalsBuildingsLanterns and FireworksFireworksSky Lanterns. Write your wish and your name on them and send them to heaven.Two hundred wishes!People will try to solve the puzzles on the lanterns.People eat Yuan Xiao: “Tang Yuan” moon-shaped sticky rice balls.International Students in the USA celebrate away from home.Making Tang Yuan with sesame.Tang yuanTang Yuan with sweetened bean soup.Would you like to?Have a Happy Lantern FestivalFrom Jim